aquaveiled | Abraxas IC Inbox

[ This response takes longer than the others. Cid hesitated over sending it at all. This isn't the world he came from, that's true enough, but he's still weary of letting it be known that he's a Dominant.

In the end however, it's hard to shake 800 years of even false memories. He can't imagine that Himeka is so drastically different from the woman he knew. ]

Himeka,

It does, in fact. I suppose this means I shouldn't expect to be turned into a moogle or somesuch the next time the Singularity has a fit?

That's a curious question. Do you recognize "Ramuh"? I can't say that I've heard anything of "Azem".

~ Cid

Edited 2024-05-23 15:49 (UTC)

[ She doesn't mind. The thought of these specific iterations appearing on other stars hadn't hit her as a possibility until Clive called her Leviathan in the baths.

(To be far, she'd almost thought he was Ardbert.) ]

Cid,

I would never say never when it comes to this place. Though if you're yearning for some Moogley company, I have several in my domain you can chat with if you'd like.

I do, yes. Ramuh is a Primal on my star, a god-like being called to come to the aid of their followers. Azem isn't, it's more of a title from a long, long time ago.

- Himeka

Himeka,

That's less comforting. But perhaps I will stop by your domain sometime.

It sounds like our worlds may be alike in more ways than one. Ramuh is an Eikon, a god of sorts like yours, summoned to the service of a Dominant. The will of the Dominant is the will of the Eikon, though I can't say that there aren't those who believe otherwise.

So to answer your question — I was connected to Ramuh once, but no longer. [ This is not, strictly speaking, true but it's also not exactly a lie. It's more than he's been willing to admit to anyone else. ] I've no desire for godhood or followers, if that's your concern. Even so, if it's all the same to you, I'd appreciate your discretion.

How did you come to posses your title? What does it mean? It seems to me you're far too spry to have picked it up all that long ago.

~ Cid

Edited 2024-05-24 18:18 (UTC)

Cid,

An Eikon! So you're from the same star as Clive and Jill? "Eikon" and "Dominant" were the same words that they used as well.

No, you don't strike me as the sort of person who would. But you do seem like someone who would have others drawn to them anyway regardless of any divine powers. But your secret can be safe with me. For what it's worth, the Ramuh I know was strong but wise with a very impressive beard. And sometimes also part horse with wings.

Oh no, it was the title of my past-self some several thousand years ago before the world was split into fourteen shards to stave off the end of existence.

[ Very simple, very digestible. Like a biscuit. ]

I've actually been wondering if your star might be one of those shards. Ours have so much in common!

- Himeka

Edited (I CAN'T FORMAT SHIT) 2024-05-24 21:26 (UTC)

[ he needs a minute ]

Himeka,

Well, you certainly don't beat around the bush. I suppose it's good to know that much is still true.

I'm from Valisthea, yes. Clive and Jill are friends of mine. As for Ramuh, I'm afraid you'll have to be disappointed on all counts, at least as far as I'm concerned. My back's not made for riding these days. The Ramuh I know is usually more of an old man, less of a horse.

I wonder if this is further evidence to your point that our worlds might be connected somehow.

You'll have to tell me more about this shard business... after I've had significantly more to drink.

~ Cid

[ Maybe she's right. What does he know? NOTHING, APPARENTLY. ]

Edited 2024-05-24 22:54 (UTC)

Cid,

It does seem like there are too many similarities for it to be entirely coincidence. That seems to happen quite a lot around here, but our worlds in particular are very close. More so than others.

Do you happen to like little creatures made of leaves, by chance?

Oh, yes of course. Drinking does usually help clear things up.

- Himeka

[ OR do the exact opposite. ]

Himeka,

What does it mean if our world is a shard? Are they meant to be... rejoined somehow? And for that matter, how did you learn about all of this if it happened so long ago?

[ Maybe there are books. Maybe this will be a very normal explanation.

Despite professing to not want to know more as yet, Cid clearly absolutely does. ]

I like most creatures well enough... although I can't say that many of them have seen fit to return the feeling. Dare I ask what that has to do with anything?

~ Cid

Cid,

Shards are like reflections of the Source, from my understanding. They are all worlds with vast peoples and histories, but all share a common...source? Essential past when they were split from the Source, which includes all the souls of the people in it. Something like that.

Funny you should mention that. There were a group of people who survived the Sundering (when all the worlds were split) who were trying to rejoin everything together to restore their star as they knew it, but in the process it kind of destroys the shard and causes a bunch of bad things to happen to the Source (where I'm from). So we try to stop that from happening.

I learned about it when I went to one of the shards in kind of a weird time loop space thing. Thancred was there as well! It was there we met one of those people who had survived the thousands of years and learned the history of everything, and were able to stop a rejoining from happening which is very good because it saved both the First and the Source! Minimal destruction and death. I also went to the past after that and got to see some of it for myself.

Ancient people were very tall.

The Sylphs are not. They look like children made of leaves but they're not and really enjoy dancing. They just worship Ramuh, which is why I was wondering if maybe you really like salad or something.

- Himeka

Himeka,

Does the name 'Ultima' ring any bells? I believe he had a similar plan, only he proposed to use Valisthea's aether to restore that of his own world.

Let me get this right... you've traveled between worlds and even through time, and saved not one world, but two? You and Thancred both. If you're having me on, now's the time to come clean.

[ He doesn't believe for a second that she's lying, is the worst bit. Himeka was a lot of things, even in the dream, but a good liar just wasn't one of them.

Not that this would be a good lie. It's really terrible, actually. ]

...Himeka, love, are you asking me if I would eat a child?

~ Cid

Cid,

It does, yes. Though I wouldn't call Ultima a "he". It's a person on your star? It sounds an awful lot like someone trying to cause a Rejoining...

We have the "Ultima Weapon", a giant machine monster thing that the Allgans created and the Garlean Empire repurposed. It ate several Primals, specifically Ifrit, Garuda, and Titan, to absorb their power and cast the Ultima spell. It was really another tool to try and cause a Calamity/Rejoining.

Yes, that's correct. To be fair Thancred got to the First first.

Oh, no! You don't eat the Sylphs. They're just very leafy.

- Himeka

[ It all makes perfect sense, Cid, don't worry about it. ]

Himeka,

I don't know anything of Garleans and Allgans, but one of these may very well have been what we call the Fallen. Ultima is... an entity, of sorts. I've seen him myself. He has power over the hearts of men, and used it often to sway them to his own ends. I can't say that I know the details of his plan well enough to tell you if a Rejoining is what he was after, but that may very well have been the case.

[ Eikons being 'eaten' had also been a part of the plan, but Cid is more cautious about confirming that much. He doubts that Himeka is any danger to Clive, but even so -- it isn't Cid's information to reveal. ]

Well, do stop by Valisthea for a cup of tea if you run out of worlds to save. We could always use someone like you.

And speaking of, you and I best find a way to go fishing again sometime soon. I think you owe me a story or four at least.

~ Cid

P.S. I do like plants, and children. Separately. Perhaps you can show me one of these Sylphs of yours in the Horizon.

Cid,

These aren't exactly the commonalities I would have hoped for between our worlds. "Control over the hearts of men"? That sounds almost god-like.

Does he call himself by anything else, by chance? Do you know the term "Ascian"?

I plan to! If there is one thing I'm thankful for about this experience, it's that we get to meet so many people from so many different stars. It creates quite the list of places to visit, but what is more fun than traveling?

That sounds like a plan to me. Though only if you plan on sharing some stories in turn.

- Himeka

P.S. I'd be happy to! I think you'll like them.

[ And thusly Cid adopts a Sylph. ]

Himeka,

Both of our worlds have good wine, so we've got that going for us.

No, I've not heard of an 'Ascian'. Ultima fancied himself our God and creator. Perhaps he truly was — I can't say that I care. Those who succumbed to a surfeit of aether would become as mindless slaves for him to control... but there were yet some who fell more willingly into his thrall. If this is something your Ascian is capable of, they may well be one and the same.

Somehow I had a feeling you'd be keen on travel.

That could be arranged... but if you fall asleep to an old man's ramblings, you'll only have yourself to blame.

~ Cid

[ Adds this to my growing inventory list of stuff to add to the solar. ]

Cid,

That is the most important metric, I agree.

The Ascians did end up summoning a god-like being that may have put many in its thrall. The more we talk about it, the more I feel like they have to be related somehow.

It's my favorite thing to do! Next to cooking and eating and fishing. What about you? Did you travel much on Valisthea?

You are far more understandable than Urianger, so I think we'll be okay.

- Himeka

Himeka,

I knew you would.

I've only hope that such a being can't be summoned here after his demise. I wouldn't see this world ill-used as Valisthea, or your own home.

I'm glad to know your interests have carried through. I already miss your feasts.

I've traveled all throughout Valisthea — though I admit, not often for pleasure. It wasn't without strife even before Ultima's designs on it became clear. I'll tell you of it the next time we meet, or there will be no end of letters for us.

It's best if I quit while I'm ahead of this Urianger. Poor sod.

~ Cid

Cid,

No, though I am sorry that you had to deal with such a threat.

I'll be sure to send you back to the Free Cities with some treats as well, then. It's not quite the same but better than being snackless.

Yes, I would love to hear more about it!

Don't worry, I think it's impossible to take his crown.

- Himeka

Himeka,

The feeling is mutual.

I'll look forward to seeing you, and the snacks.

~ Snackless Cid

Snackless Cid,

You as well! Take care until then.

- Stacked Himeka

[ Stacked with snacks, obviously. ]

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omg im so sorry for all the edits i'm a messy bitch

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introducing the worst person to learn lore from...

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wrapping? 🎁

with a bow!